Advanced motion trackers used for high-tech Marine Corps training exercises

Engineers at Lockheed Martin Electro- Optical Systems in Orlando, Fla., needed a cost-effective and fast motion tracker for U.S. Marine`s Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training program.

The motion-tracking technology from InterSense Inc. in Burlington, Mass., helped the Lockheed engineers develop an in-room positioning system using ultrasonic technology which serves as a component in a system for training Marines in close- quarter, indoor combat.

Lockheed is using InterSense sensors mounted on ceilings and tiny transmitters on Marines` helmets to interact with a software program that will closely track trainees as they move through enemy buildings.

"What we are creating here with InterSense is third-generation training technology that is faster, cheaper, and smarter," says Steve Giddeon, Lockheed`s vice president of special projects.

"In order to take military training to the next level, we needed to push the boundaries of motion-tracking technology," he says. "We`ve placed a great deal of demand on InterSense`s systems, and can honestly say we believe that no one else can deliver the capabilities and benefits they offer."

The training system was initially launched in a test program at MOUT facilities in Camp LeJune, N.C., last year.

Lockheed Martin selected InterSense`s off-the-shelf IS-600 for their proof-of- concept demonstration to their customer. The IS-600 utilizes a combination of inertial and wireless ultrasonic tech- nologies versus the magnetic technology used by other suppliers.

Met objects do not affect InterSense`s systems like older technologies do, and offer a wide operating range and compatibility with any software supporting industry-standard trackers.

"We were particularly impressed with the wireless ultrasonic portion of InterSense`s design," Giddeon explains. "Obviously, magnetics would not work in our application and no one else has demonstrated such an effective wireless ultrasonic system. InterSense ultrasonic tracking was the best we have seen." — J.M.

For more information on InterSense contact Adam Bosnian by phone at 781-270-0090, by e-mail at [email protected], or on the World Wide Web at http:// www.isense.com.

The Marine Corps uses InterSense motion trackers in close-quarter, indoor combat training.